Lawn sprinkler



Sept. 27, 1966 s. w. THoMPsoN LAWN SPRINKLER z Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 9, 1964 INVENTOR.

-w W W 5 o p -n M H O fi% o w MM m E 5 Sept. 27, 1966 s. w. THoMPsoN LAWN SPRINKLER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 9, 1964 zNvENToR. 5577/ M//IL Do 7,70MP50N BY W TTORNEY United States Patent O 3,275,242 LAWN SPRINKLER Seth Waldo Thompson, 9 Gordon Road, Essex Fells, NJ. Filed Jan. 9, 1964, Ser. NO. 336,709 4 Claims. (Cl. 239-227) This application is to cover an improvement on the Lawn Sprinkler described and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 290,836 filed June 26, 1963, now Patent No. 3,168,249.

This invention relates to lawn sprinklers and, more particularly, to one having a sprinkler head which may be held stationary or rotated on a base, which base may be oscillated while the sprinkler head is stationary or rotating, and which may have one or more hollow arms projecting therefrom for distributing sprays of water, each arm having apertures spaced apart along its length and adapted to distribute water therefrom.

In accordance with my invention, I have provided a lawn sprinkler which has a sprinkler head with water driven means which may, when desired, also oscillate about an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the head. My sprinkler head is mounted on a supply pipe which is oscillatable by a water motor deriving its power from water passing therethrough on its way to the head. The water motor is connected to the sprinkler head supply pipe, so that said pipe may either be oscillated or Ilocked in an adjusted position.

The head of the rotary sprinkler is so mounted that it may be allowed to rotate or be locked against rotation. Said head has hollow arms extending at an angle to the axis of rotation of said head to receive water through said head from said supply pipe. Each arm has apertures spaced apart along its length and adapted to discharge water in directions with respect to the axis of head rotation, such that there is no tendency for the head to turn, and means for changing when desired, the effective direction of water discharge so as to cause said head to turn.

Thus, I have provided a sprinkler which may have a stationary or rotating head mounted on a base which is carried by the pipe which Supplies the water or other fluid to the sprinkler head, 'which pipe may be oscillated about its axis.

An object of my invention is the provision of an improved oscillatable-type lawn sprinkler having a rotatable head which may if desired, be held stationary.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved rotatable head sprinkler mounted on a liquid supply pipe which may or may not be oscillated.

A further object of 'my invention is to provide an improved lawn sprinkler having a rotatable head which is also oscillatable about an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the head so as to increase the area which may be sprinkled without moving the general position of the sprinkler.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a lawn sprinkler having a rotatable head, said head having hollow arms extending outwardly therefrom Vand each having a plurality of apertures spaced apart along its length and adapted to discharge water in directions with respect to the axis of the head rotation such that there is practically no tendency for the head to turn, and means for, when desired, discharging some of said water at an angle to said axis so as to cause said head to turn.

These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description 'when taken with the accompanying drawings, It will be understood that the dra'wings are for purposes of illustration and do not define the scope or vlimits of the invention, reference being had for the latter purpose to the appended claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters denote like parts in the several views:

FIGURE 1 is 'a plan of one form of sprinkler embodying my invention;

FIGURE 2 is a transverse 'Vertical sectional vie'w on the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1, in the direction of the arrows, and to a larger scale;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the sprinkler head;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary axial sectional view of one of the arms of the sprinkler head;

FIGURE 5 is a transverse sectional view on the line 5-5 in FIGURE 4, in the direction of the arrows, showing the position of the parts where the outer sprinkling aperture is closed;

FIGURE 6 is a transverse sectional view, corresponding to FIGURE 5 but showing the' position of the parts where the outer sprinkler aperture is uncovered;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary elevational view in the direction of the arrows, as on the line 7 7 of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 8 is a view similar to FIGURE 4 showing a modification of the invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the present embodiment of my sprinkler comprises a supporting frame 11 which may be formed of steel bar stock, shaped to provide a relatively long base 12 tapering to a smaller width, from the right hand end toward the left hand end as viewed in FIGURE 1. Upstanding from said base 12 are inwardly converging portions 13, connected by top frame members 14 which support .a housing 15 at the wider or right hand end, as viewed in FIGURES 1 and 2. In this housing is suitable means for oscillating the sprinkler supply pipe 16, one end of 'which is rotatably mounted with respect to the housing by suitable means including a packing gland 17 at the right hand end, as viewed in FIGURE 1.

The other end of said supply pipe is also rotatably mounted with respect to the frame 11, as by being turnably received in a fianged portion 18 upstanding from said frame. The supply pipe 16 eXtends to the sprinkler head base 19 and terminates, after being threaded therelinto so that it can supply water or other `liquid to the hollow interior portion 22 of said base. The continuation of the pipe 16, here designated 23, may or may not be hollow -like the pipe 16.

The rotatable sprinkler head 25 carries a plurality of, in this instance two, hollow sprinkler arms 26 and 27, both provided with water outlet apertures or nozzles 28. Said apertures or nozzles 28 are here with respect to the axis of head rotation, such that there is practically no tendency for the head 25 to turn. As shown, these apertures of both arms lie in a common plane with the axis of rotation of the sprinkler head. Inasmuch as it is at times desired to insure head turning, I provide supplemental apertures 21 in the arms 26 and 27, which are directed in opposite directions at an angle to said axis or said common plane of the apertures 28 so that, when they are un- `covered, the reaction of the jets of water issuing therefrom causes or tends to cause turning of the head 25 carrying the arms 26 and 27.

In order to provide for this selective turning or nonturning of the head 25, there is mounted on the end of each of the arms 26 and 27, a sleeve 24 fitting and turnable about the end portion of its arm, so las to cover or uncover the adjacent aperture 21. Said sleeves each has an inturned collar 20, overlying the outer end of its arm and a slot 30, so .as to uncover the corresponding aperture 21 when turned to the suitable position, as illustrate-d in FIGURE 6. For holding the sleeve 24 in the selected position, I provide a cap screw 40, threadably connected in the end portion of each of the arms 26 a-nd 27, and

Patented Sept. 27, 1966- having a head with an edge portion overlying and adapted to hold the sleeve collar 20, adjacent to end of said arm, in the selected adjusted position.

Instead of the collar 20, a plug 20a could be screwed into the arm 26a and provided With .an L passage 20.b so that upon rotation of the plug, the aperture 21 in the arm 26a can be selectively opened and closed, as shown in FIGU'RE 8.

The head 25 has an annular flange 31 depen-ding therefrom in which is threaded ;a collar or bushing 32, the lower end portion of which is enlarged as indicated at 33.

This collar 32 serves to retain the outstanding fiange or collar 3'4 of a fitting 35 between it and the head 25, so as to prevent undesired disengagement between the parts. This -fitting has an en'larged ldepending portion 36 which is threadably engageable with the reduced-section top portion 37 of the base 1-9. There is an adjustable sheet metal collar or clamp 38 having outstanding ezars 39 and 41 apertured and through which passes a bolt 42. The head 43 of the bolt is engageable with the ear 41 and the other ear 39 is engageable 'by a washer 44 which may be held thereagainst by a thumb nut 45.

By virtue of this construction, upon loosening of the thumb nut 45, the head 25 is free to rotate as the collar 38 then drops down .and releases the enlarged portion 33, which may be non-circular or hexagonal like the part 36, to allow the whole head 25, and the arms 26 and 27 carried thereby, to turn. When it is desired to stop the head from rotation, the collar 35 is raised to the position illustrated in FIGURE 2, and the thum'b nut 4'5, shown in FIGURE 1, tightened. This engages the enlarged portions 33 and 36 and thereby looks the head '2'5 against rotation with respect yt-o its base 19.

The details of the motor enclosed in the housing 15 are not part of the invention and, therefore, are not described in detail. Suflice to say that the lower portion 46 of the housing 1'5 may enclose a water-actuatable device, such as a turbine or water wheel, blades of which are engaged by the water as it flows from the inlet connection 47 to the pipe 16. This device may have a generally-vertical shaft ca'rrying a worm which meshes with .a suitable gear inside of the upper portion 48 of the housing, which gear is mounted on a shaft which carries at its outer end a crank 49 fixed thereto.

The sprinkler supply pipe 16 'also carries a crank 51 clixed thereto, which crank desirably has -an enlarged free end porti-on 52 in which is a desirably arcuate slot 53. The cranks 49 and 51 may be joined by connecting rod 54, end portions of which are here shown angular with respect to the intermediate portion, as viewed in F'IG- URE 1. These end portions are apertured and receive crank pins 55 and 56, the former projecting from the crank 49. The pin 56, however, is carried by the rod 54. These crank pns are respectively connected to the adjacent end of the rod 54 and the crank 51, as viewed 'in FIGURES 1 and 2, by thumb' nuts 57 and 58 in a manner, well known in the art, which does not bind the connecting rod with respect to the crank pins. At the same time, it does not allow the rod to get loose from the pins to an un'desired extent.

The lconnection between the rod 54 and the crank 51 is adjustable, in that the tightening of the thumb nut 58 may be at a selected position along the receiving slot 53, so as to thereby adjust the angular position of the pipe 16 land thereby the corresponding position of the, supported sprinkler head 25. When it is not desired to oscillate the sprinkler head 2'5 and its supply pipe =16, the connecting rod 54 is moved from the illustrated position to a position where a suitable thumb` screw 50, or the like, holds the left-hand end, as-vewed in FIGURE 2, locked in place with respect to a brac-ket 59 upstanding from the frame 11, or from a plate 60 which may serve as a base for said housing 1'5.

From the foregoing disclosure it will be seen that the sprinkler described is versati'le in that the head 25 and its arms 26 and 27 may be allowed to rotate while water is fed thereto through the inlet connection 47, motor housing 15 and pipe 16, 'while the motor oscillates said pipe. As an alternative, said sprinkler head 25 may -r-otate freely but without oscillation of said pipe 16, because of the change of the connecting rod 54 from the illustrated position viewed in FIGU'R'E 2, to Where it is connected to the bracket 59.

As a further alternative, the head 25 may be sto'pped from rotating by raising the collar or clamp 38 to the position shown in FIGURE 2, and tightening the thumb nut 45. This .stoppage of rotation of the head 25 may take place to allow the water to flow out of the apertures 28 when the head is stationary or simply oscillated by operation of the water motor, when the connecting rod 54 is in the position illustrated 'm FIGU'RE 2. Thus, we have the option of rotating the head without oscillation, oscillating the head without rotation, using both rotation and oscillation, or simply allowing the water to flow from a stationary head.

T'he advantage of the aforedescribed structure, over that of my previously filed application referred to, is that when the head 25 is locked against rotation and water is directed from the nozzles or apertures 28, while the arms 26 and 27 are disposed parallel to the sprinkler supply pipe 1'6, and said supply pipe oscillated, an even coverage of the lawn by water` is elfected, as contrasted with unequal coverage under such circumstances by the apparatus of my prior-filed application. The disadvantage in not having the apertures 28 effect a rotating action on the head 25 and its arms, when it is desired that said head rotate, is overcome by the supplemental apertures 21 controlled by the sleeves 24 and cap screws 40.

Although a single embodiment has been illustrated and described, it will be understood that modification may be made within the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A lawn sprinkler comprising a supporting frame, a water motor on said frame, a sprinkler supply pipe mounted on said frame to loscillate about a horizontal axis, a driving connection between said w-ater motor and said sprinkler supply pipe to oscillate the latter, and a sprinkler comprising a head 'carried by said supply pipe and connected to receive water therefrom and torotate thereon about a Vertical .axis, said head having hollow arms extending therefrom at angles to said axis of rotation of the head to receive water from said supply pipe through said head, each arm having a series of apertures spaced apart along its length and adapted to discharge water in directions such that there is no tendency for the head to turn, providing for the adjustment of said ihead with said hollow arms at a predetermined angular relation to the axis of head rotation `and to the axis of said supply pipe oscillation, and 'means for causing rotation of said head and arms, When desired, comprising another aperture in at least one arm adjacent its outer end and directed at an angle to said plane of the axis of head rotation, and means on said arm for selectively opening and closing said other aperture.

2. A lawn sprinkler comprising a supporting frame, a Water motor on said frame, a `sprinkler supply pipe mounted on said frame to oscillate about a horizontal axis, a driving connection between said water motor and said sprinkler supply pipe to oscillate the latter and mech- 'anism including a part of said driving connection for selectively holding the supply pipe against os-cillation and stationary in any of a plurality of angles relative to the axis of oscillation of said supply pipe and a rotary sprinkler comprising a head carried by said supply pipe and connected to receive water therefrom and to rotate thereon, said sprinkler head having hollow arms extending therefrom at angles to the axis of rotation of the head to receive water from said supply pipe through said head, each arm having va series of apertures spaced apart along its length and a'dapted to discharge water, in a common plane with said axis of head rotation, such that there is no tendency for the head t-o turn, means for causing, When desired, rotation of said head and said arms, and means for releasably holding said sprinkler head against rotation with said hollow arms at a predetermined angular relation to the axis of head rotation, the first-mentioned means comprising .another aperture in at least one arm adjacent its outer end and directed at an angle to' said plane of the axis of head rotation, and means on said arm for selectively opening and closing said other aperture.

3. A lawn sprinkler comprising a supporting frame, a Water motor on said frame, a sprinkler supply pipe mounted on said frame to oscillate about a horizontal axis, a driving connection between said water motor and said sprinkler supply pipe to oscillate the latter and mechanism including a part of said driving connection for selectively holding the supply pipe against oscillation and stationary in any of a plurality of angles relative to the axis of oscillation of said supply pipe and .a rotary sprinkler comprising a head carried by said supply pipe and connected to receive water therefrom and to rotate thereon, said sprinkler head having hollow arms extending therefrom at angles to the axis of rotation of the head to receive water from said supply pipe through said head, each arm having .a series of apertures spaced apart along its length adapted to discharge Water in a common plane with said axis of head rotation, such that there is no tendency for the head to turn, means for causing, when desired, rotation of said head and said arms, and means for releasably holding said sprinkler head against rotation with said hollow arms at a predetermined angular relation to the axis of head rotation, the first-mentioned means comprising another aperture in at least one arm adjacent its outer end land directed at an angle to said common plane of the first-mentioned apertures and the axis of head rotation, a sleeve fitting and tnrnable about the outer end portion of said arm so as to cover said other aperture, said sleeve having an inturned collar overlying the outer end of said arm and a slot so as to uncover said -other aperture when said sleeve is turned to one position, .and a cap screw threadably connected in the end of said arm and having a head overlying and adapted to hold the sleeve collar against the end of said arm in ya selected position,

4. A lawn sprinkler comprising a supporting frame, a Water motor on said frame, a sprinkler supply pipe mounted 'on said frame to oscillate about a horizontal axis, a driving connection between said water motor and said sprinkler supply pipe to oscillate the latter and mech-anism including a part of said driving connection for selectively holding the supply pipe against oscillation and stationary in any of a plurality of angles relative to the aXis of oscillation of said supply pipe and a rotary sprinkler comprising a head carried by said supply pipe and connected to receive water therefrom and to ro-tate thereon, said sprinkler head having hollow arms extending therefrom at angles to the .axis of rotation of the head to receive water from said supply pipe through said head, each arm having a series of apertures spaced apart along its length adapted to discharge water in a common plane With said axis of head rotation, such that there is no tendency for the head to turn, means for causing, when desired, -rotation holding said head and said arms, and means for releasably holding said sprinkler head against rotation with said hollow arms at a predetermined angular relation to the axis of head rotation, the first-mentioned means including an aperture on at least one of said arms adjacent its outer end and directed at an angle to said plane of the first-mentioned apertures and the axis of head rotation, and a plug rotatably mounted in said arm and provided With a passage to selectively esta-blish and cut oif communication between the interior of the arm and said other aperture upon rotation of said plug, in opposite directions, respectively.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,866,844 7/1932 De Vos 239-258 2,539,793 1/1951 Pangborn 239-258 2,620,233 12/1952 Br'OWn 239-251 2,769,667 11/1956 Spender 239-253 2,992,781 7/1961 Howard 239-258 3,l68,249 2/1965 Thompson 239-242 M. HENSON WOOD, JR., Primary Examner.

EVERETT W. KIRBY, Exwminer.

D. L, MOSELEY, V. C, WILKS, Assistant Eaminer, 

1. A LAWN SPRINKLER COMPRISING A SUPPORTING FRAME, A WATER MOTOR ON SAID FRAME, A SPRINKLER SUPPLY PIPE MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME TO OSCILLATE ABOUT A HORIZONTAL AXIS, A DRIVING CONNECTION BETWEEN SAID WATER MOTOR AND SAID SPRINKLER SUPPLY PIPE TO OSCILLATE THE LATTER, AND A SPRINKLER COMPRISING A HEAD CARRIED BY SAID SUPPLY PIPE AND CONNECTED TO RECEIVE WATER THEREFROM AND TO ROTATE THEREON ABOUT A VERTICAL AXIS, SAID HEAD HAVING HOLLOW ARMS EXTENDING THEREFROM AT ANGLES TO SAID AXIS OF ROTATION OF THE HEAD TO RECEIVE WATER FROM SAID SUPPLY PIPE THROUGH SAID HEAD, EACH ARM HAVING A SERIES OF APERTURES SPACED APART ALONG ITS LENGTH AND ADAPTED TO DISCHARGE WATER IN DIRECTIONS SUCH THAT THERE IS NO TENDENCY FOR THE HEAD TO TURN, PROVIDING FOR THE ADJUSTMENT OF SAID HEAD WITH SAID HOLLOW ARMS AT A PREDETERMINED ANGULAR RELATION TO THE AXIS OF HEAD ROTATION AND TO AXIS OF SAID SUPPLY PIPE OSCILLATION, AND MEANS FOR CAUSING ROTATION OF SAID HEAD AND ARMS, WHEN DESIRED, COMPRISING ANOTHER APERTURE IN AT LEAST ONE ARM ADJACENT ITS OUTER END AND DIRECTED AT AN ANGLE TO SAID PLANE OF THE AXIS OF HEAD ROTATION, AND MEANS ON SAID ARM FOR SELECTIVELY OPENING AND CLOSING SAID OTHER APERTURE. 